Walk Among Stone Forests and Underground Lakes
Step into landscapes that feel lifted from another world. The Jade Stone Forest in Huangtian Town rises from the earth in pale formations of white marble—unusual among China's stone forests for the purity of its mineral composition. A short distance away, the Shibashui Eco-Tourism Park reveals a different kind of drama: eighteen cascading waterfalls dropping nearly 300 metres through pristine forest, their name reflecting the eighteen water bays carved into the rock. For something subterranean, the Ziyun Cave, a limestone karst system formed during the Jurassic Period, unfolds in chambers lit by coloured light and accessible year-round.
- Jade Stone Forest: catch bus no. 4 from the city, getting off at Luhua Village Committee, then walk southeast for about 1 km. Open 08:00-17:30. Entrance ¥83.
- Shibashui Eco-Tourism Park: take Tourist Bus 17 from Hezhou Railway Station. Open 08:00-18:00. Entrance ¥86.
- Ziyun Cave: located in Limu Village, Etang Town; taxi is the most practical option. Open 08:00-17:30. Entrance ¥46.
Climb Into Forest Parks and Misty Peaks
Two national forest parks offer contrasting experiences of Hezhou's highlands. Dagui Mountain National Forest Park features landscaped trails leading to waterfalls, rock formations and ethnic minority villages, making it accessible for varied fitness levels. Gupo Mountain National Forest Park in Pinggui District demands more: the climb to its actual peak takes 5–7 hours and rewards those with stamina with cold, windy summit views. Both parks sit within subtropical evergreen forest under monsoon influence, creating the mists and lush canopy that characterise the region.
- Dagui Mountain National Forest Park: Babu District. Main attractions include Gaotai Range Rover, Wuma Waterfall, Green Forest Old Land, San Ying Tan Waterfall, Tiesuo Bridge and Ethnic Village.
- Gupo Mountain National Forest Park: catch bus no. 17 from Hezhou Railway Station or take a special express bus (four departures daily) from outside Guangji Maternity Hospital on Guposhan Avenue; journey time about 30 minutes. Summer: 08:00-17:30, winter: 08:00-17:00. Entrance ¥82, sightseeing car ¥15.
Enter Ancient Towns and Sacred Mountains
Huangyao Ancient Town, founded in 972 and located 60 km southwest in Zhaoping County, preserves the architectural language of centuries past: blue bricks, black tiles and painted wooden beams frame temples, pavilions and stone bridges. The town sits among karst peaks and caves, creating a landscape that locals call the "Dream Home." Closer to the city centre, Fu Hill Temple stands on an island in the He River—a site so sacred that legend holds no flood has ever submerged it. The Chen Wang Temple crowns the mountain, and the annual Fushan Song Festival in May brings singers from across the region to celebrate there.
- Huangyao Ancient Town: buses depart from Hezhou Railway Station and Hezhou Central Bus Station; also accessible from Wuzhou, Yangshuo and Guilin. Open 08:00-17:30. Entrance ¥100. Famous cultural sites include Wenming Pavilion, Baozhu Temple, Lion Temple, Xingyu Temple, Ancient Stage and several bridges.
- Fu Hill Temple: stands in the He River. The Fushan Song Festival occurs on 19 May, drawing crowds from Hunan, Guangdong and Guangxi provinces.
Explore Museums and Ethnic Architecture
The Hezhou Museum, located in a busy market area with good breakfast options, tells the city's story through ancient pottery on its top floor, a courtyard of collected stelae, and galleries displaying Yuan dynasty artefacts (including an anchor excavated from the local river), ethnic minority costumes and historical equipment. For a focused look at traditional building practices, the Hezhou Hakka Round Houses in Liantang Town showcase the weiwu—semi-circular dwellings built by the Hakka Han Chinese subgroup. The Hezhou Ethnological Museum on the Hezhou University West Campus provides broader context on the region's diverse ethnic groups. Both museums are free.
- Hezhou Museum: 65 Tiyu Road, Babu District. Catch bus no. 5, 6, 7 or 9 and get off at Fuliang Building. Open 10:00-16:00, closed Mondays. Free admission.
- Hezhou Hakka Round Houses: Liantang Town, Babu District. Take bus no. 25 and get off at Renchong Primary School. Open 08:00-17:30. Entrance ¥30.
- Hezhou Ethnological Museum: Hezhou University West Campus, 18 Xihuan Road, Babu District. Catch bus routes 6, 8, 11 or 14. Open 5 days a week. Free admission.
Day Trips Into County Landscapes
Beyond the urban centre, Fuchuan Yao Autonomous County holds a Ming-era castle, the Ruiguang Pagoda and a Wind and Rain Bridge—covered bridge architecture typical of southwestern China. Xiushui Scholar Village offers a quieter exploration of local life. These destinations reward those willing to venture further, revealing the diverse architecture and settlement patterns across Hezhou's administrative territory.
- Fuchuan Ming Castle, Ruiguang Pagoda, Wind and Rain Bridge and Xiushui Scholar Village are all located within Fuchuan Yao Autonomous County.
Hezhou sits in the humid subtropical zone where monsoon rains feed dense forests and limestone formations. The climate remains mild enough for year-round visits, though summers bring heat and wetness while winters stay damp rather than cold. Plan around the Fushan Song Festival in May if you want to witness the mountain's most vibrant gathering, or time your visit to avoid peak summer crowds. Start with the museums to ground yourself in local history, then move outward into the forests and ancient towns that define the region.